Indicator for radiators



June 6, 1933. H. vlssERlNG 1,912,672

INDICATOR FOR RADIATORS Filed July 29, 1921 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented June 6, 1933 `PATENT OFFICE HARRY VISSERING, F KNILWORTH, ILLINOIS` l INDICATOR ron Riinm'rons Application filed Ju1y`29,

The present invention relates in general to indicators, andmore particularly to indicators for automotive vehicles and one which is intended to call` attention to and to indicate the state of the water contained within the radiator commonly used in connection with the cooling system of the internal combustion engine. i l

Among the more important objects of the invention is the provision, of a means preferably visible from the driving seat station, for rendering visible indications as to the general state of the` water in. the radiator, ofother means giving more speciiic informa-` tion as to the state and more particularly the temperature of the water, and the embodiment of means of the general character justindicated in a tube `which forms the radia-` tor filling opening, together with such other objects as may be hereinafter pointed out, er may appear. f

In accomplishing the objects referred to and gaining certain advantages to be set forth below, I have provided the structures shown in the accompanying drawings wherein- Figure 1 is an elevational view of one embodiment of the invention;

Figure 2 is a vertical sectional elevational view of the device of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a horizontal `sectional View taken on the line ,3f-3 of Figure 1; i Figure 4 is a horizontal sectional view taken on the line 4-4 of Figure 2;

Figure 5 is a vertical sectional elevational View of another embodiment of my invention;

Y FigureV 6 is a horizontal sectional view taken on line 6-6 of Figure 5,; o Figure 7 `is a vertical sectional elevational view of-a stillfurther embodiment of my invention; and i p Figure, 8 is `a `horizontal sectional view taken on the line 8-8 of Figure 7. v

Broadly considered, the device includes a perforated casing communicating withY the radiator 4 and provided with a sight opening through which the general state of the water can be ascertained, in combination r `with an indicator from which can be ascertained with comparative `accuracy the ap- 1921. serial No. 488,355.

proximate state of the water. This may be Y secured in the filling opening ordinarily provided in the radiator top and may serve as a tube" 5 throughwhichlwater is supplied to the radiator.`

In the form of device `shown in Figures 1 to`4, the casing, indicated generally at 10, comprises `the outer tube, 11, and the transparent closure member 15. The outer tube 11 is provided with a lower screw-threaded 60 nipple, 12, adapted to' be threaded intothe radiator opening 6, and as here shown is provided with a sight opening, 14, so positioned that it will be directed towards the driver. n

The transparent closure member, 15, is secured in position within the tube 11 against the shoulder,`16, by thespider, 17 (secured by a setzscrew 17 against which spider in turn the screw threaded cap, 18, bears. Upon 70 viewing Figure 2, it will benotedthat the transparent member, 15, which `is convenientlytubularin form, is closed save at its open ends, and that such ends are sealed to prevent leakage around the periphery of the tube, 15,

by means of the washers, 19 and 20, interposed between the tube'and the shoulder, 16, and the tube and the spider, 17, respectively. The overflow tube` 27 of the radiator is, for the purposes of my invention, extended up- S0 wardinside of the casing 10 to the upper portion of said casing.

In the use of the structure thus far described, it` will be observed that should the water in the radiator heat up, this fact will become apparent at the sightopening, 14, by the presence of vapor or bubbles arising due to convection currents, or the precipitation uponthe inside of the transparent tube of water of condensation.

It will be readily appreciated that such an emanation from the surface of the water in the radiator may be sufficient as a warning of high heat conditions, but may be inadequateto present the desired more explicit in- ,95 .formation aste the approximate temperature of the water.

Tomeet this situation I have, therefore, provided a secondindicator inthe nature of temperature responsive element, such as a through the vapor, bubbles or water of condensation are in a sense indications by convection currents, whereas the'ther'mometric indications are indications by heat conduction inasmuch as the lower portion, 26, of the thermometric device is in communication with the radiator.

It is well :known that upon heating a portion of liquid a'vapor is given on which due to being of greater temperature than the surrounding air will rise, and in the present instance, enters the closure member thus creating convection currents lwhich continue so long as the difference in temperature referred prevails for the reason that the heated vapor rises and the closure being cooler produces water of condensation which continues the production of convection currents so that an indication as to the state of the water in the radiator is made. A

With reference now more particularly to the device of Figures 5 and 6, it will be perceived that the structure herein shown al'- though similar to that of Figures' 1 and 2 differs therefrom in certain respects. Among the primary features of difference are the following :that the thermometer, 21a, is support-ed eccentrically of the casing, general-ly indicated at a, the upper end being loosely carried in a socket in the spider 17a and has its bulb portion supported on the pin 23a, which is carried by a sleeve, 24a, shown as integra-l with the screw-threaded nipple, 12a', and that inorder to provide for' more light and hence not only greater' illumination of the interior of the casing', 10a, but also to render the indicator readable from more directions, as well as more easily, I have'provided tube, 11a, with an increased number of sight openings, 14a, four thereof, spaced 90 apart being illustrated inthe drawings, thus giving the tube, 11a',y a spider-like crosssection clearly to be seen on reference to Figure 6. The cap 18a' corresponds to cap 18 of Figures 1" and'2. The overflow tube 27a of the radiator is, for the purposes of my invention, extended upward inside of the casing 10a into the' pocket 28a'provided in spider 17 a.

In the further embodiment of my invention shown in Figures 7 and 8, the transparent portion, b, of the casinggenerally indicated at 10b, is fixed in position externally of the tube, 11?), instead of internally thereof, and is held in position between the washers, 19?) and 20o, by means of the bearing ring, 336, and the'cap, 18?), which in the present instance, is internally threaded for engagement with the upper' end of the tube, 11b. The thermometer, 2lb, has its bulb portion sustained by the pin, 23?), mounted in the sleeve, 24?), preferably integral with the screwthreaded nipple, 12o, and has its upper end socke'ted iin boss, 3422, integral with the upper end of the tube, 11b, the function of the spiders, 17 17a',- being performed by the bearing ring 33o. The overflow tube 275 of the radiator is, for' the purposes of my invention', extending' upward inside of the casing 10?; to the' upperlportion of said casing.

1Having thus' describedY my invention and f illustrated its use', whatv I claim as new and '1. In combination with' a water' cooling radiator having an outlet member to atmosphere, of an indicator for the radiator including an elongated casing having a transparent portion and having its lower end normally in free communication with the top of the' radiator above'r the normal level of liquid therein, a removable' spider member in said casing' engaging sa'id transparent portion, a closure member of said casing for retaining said spiderand said transparent portion, said outlet memberentending into said casing and having' an inlet adjacent tov the upper end thereof soas to cause' vapor prior to its discharge to atmosphere to pass through said casing and by convection currents deposit water of condensationon said transparent portion, thereby' indicating the vaporizationstate of the water in the' radiator, 'and means in said transparent portion for indicating the temperature of thew'ater in the radiator, said means being'supported jointly by said spider andsaid casing at its ends so' as to also be visible throi'igh said transparent portion.

2,Y In combination' with a water-cooling radiator, of' anv indicator mounted thereon comprisingl a: casing having" a pair of sight openings in relative alignment, heat respony sive means including' tubular thermometer 1 in registry with usaid sight openings, and spaced standards between which said heat responsive means is4 mounted, said standards being so' positioned that the heat responsive means i's visible'through' said sight openings, and said standards having an enlarged socket portion to receive' the bulb of said thermometer.

3'. In' combination with" a water-cooling radiator, of an indicator mounted thereon comprising a casing'h'aving a pair of sight openingsin relative alignment, heat responsivei means inl registry with said sight openings, and spaced standards between which said heat responsive means is-mounted,v said standards being so positioned that the heat responsive means is visible through said sight openings, a spider Jfor supporting said standards and in engagement with said casing.

4. In combination with a water-cooling radiator, of an indicator mounted thereon comprising a casing having a pair of sight openings in relative alignment, heat responsive means in registry with said sight openings, and spaced standards between which said heat responsive means is mounted, said standards being so positioned that the heat responsive means is visible through said sight openings, a spider for supporting said standards and in engagement with said casing, means for preventing rotation of said spider and standards.

5. In combination with a water-cooling radiator a device providing a plurality of indicators for showing the state of the water therein, including a casing in open communication with the radiator having apertures in transverse alignment provided with a transparent closure to Jform sight openings, the inner surface of said transparent closure being exposed to clonvection currents of vapor issuing from the radiator for showing by deposition thereon of water of condensation the evaporation state of the water in the radiator, and a temperature responsive element in said casing, so located as to be visible through said sight openings, for rendering a speciic indication of the temperature of the Water by heat conduction.

6. In combination with a water-cooling radiator, of an indicator mounted thereon and comprising a casing having a transparent portion normally in communication with the top of the radiator and in the path of vapor issuing therefrom, said transparent portion thus permitting observance of the state of the water by emanations thereof created by convection currents and rendered visible by condensation on said transparent portion, and a temperature responsive element disposed in alignment with said transparent portion and visible through the transparent portion for indicating the temperature of the water.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto signed my name.

HARRY VISSERING. 

